Gandanameno purcelli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Purcell's Velvet Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Eresidae |
| Genus: | Gandanameno |
| Species: | G. purcelli |
| Binomial name | |
| Gandanameno purcelli (Tucker, 1920) | |
Gandanameno purcelli is a species of spider in the family Eresidae.[1] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Purcell's velvet spider.[2]
The species is named after William Frederick Purcell.
Distribution
Gandanameno purcelli is found exclusively in South Africa, where it occurs across the provinces Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.[2]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits multiple biomes including Grassland, Savanna, Thicket, Fynbos, and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biomes at altitudes ranging from 9 to 1,212 m above sea level.[2]
The species builds a retreat-web under stones and ground debris or sometimes under loose bark. This behavior provides protection while allowing the spider to detect prey movement.[2]
Description
Gandanameno purcelli is distinguished by its dull opisthosoma with short scanty setae and the absence of white rings around dorsal stigmata. The species lacks spines on the underside of the coxae of the first leg, which helps distinguish it from related species.[2]
The species is currently known only from females.[2]
